Charles w



(No Model.)

G. W. GREGG.

LAGING- STAY FOR coasmrs. No. 561,392. Patented June 2,1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. GREGG, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SAMUEL II. CAMP, OF SAME PLACE.

LAC|NG- STAY FOR CORSETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561 ,392, dated June 2, 1896. Application filed September 24, 1895. Serial No, 563,489. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. GREGG, a citizen of the United States, residing at J ackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lacing-Stays for Corsets and the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates particularly to the improved and novel construction of a lacingstay for corsets and the like.

In detail the invention consists in the construction of a lacing-stay formed of paper with separated longitudinal metallic strips therein and eyelets through the stay between the strips, such stay being secured to the back section conveniently by means of loops secured to the edge thereof and embracing the stay between the eyelets, all as more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of aback section of a corsetprovided with a stay embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a sectional perspective of one of the lacing-stays removed. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the back section, showing the lacingcord in position.

In the prior art it has been customary to put eyelets in the cloth at the edges of the back sections of corsets for the lacing-strings; but so arranged they are quite liable to pull out. Rods have also been placed in marginal loops, such rods being round or flat, the cords passing behind the rods between the loops. These constructions have numerous disadvantages, which my construction is intended to obviate; and to this end I make my improvements as follows:

A is the back section of a corset. At the edge are a series of loops B of cloth, the top and bottom loops being closed to form pockets to prevent the endwise displacement of the lacing-stay C. This lacing-stay I form of paper or similar suitable material, and embedded in it at each edge are the metallic strips or rods D, extending from end to end. This stay I preferably inclose in a cloth cover E, The strips I) are separated far enough to strips D.

permit the ferrule or eye portion a of an eyelet to pass through the stay between the strips, having a flange b on one side engaging over the side of the stay and projecting over the strips 1), the other end of the eye portion being peened or flanged over a washer F on the other face of the stay. This washer is likewise of such diameter as to span the These eyelets are thus formed, so that no reasonable lateral strain will pull them out of the stay, as might be done with comparative case if the flanges did not overlap the metallic strips. The eyelets areso placed on the stays as to be between the loops B. It will be observed that the eyelets are placed on the center line of the stay, so that the strain or pull of the lacing-cords is at the side'of the center toward the outer edge or edge nearer the adjacent stay. When thus constructed and arranged, the lacing-cords can be laced through the eyelets to lace up the corsets in the usual manner without danger of pulling out the eyelets, wearing the cord over sharp edges, or turning of the lacing-stay, as is likely to occur if the cord is run behind the flat stays ordinarily used or if the eyelets are placed beyond the center of the stay on the side farther from the adjacent stay.

WVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A lacing-stay formed of a fibrous body, two separated resilient strengthening-strips or rods embedded therein longitudinally, and eyelets secured in the said body between the strips, substantially as described.

2. A lacing-stay comprising a fibrous body, separated longitudinal strengthening-strips or rods embedded in the body, a ring-shaped washer on one side, and an eyelet passing through the stay between the strips and secured to said washer, the head of the eyelet and washer overlapping the strips, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. GREGG.

Witnesses:

J. L. FOUNTAIN, L. G. CHANDLER. 

